The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1887-01-12
AFFAIRS OF STATE.
Recommendations of Governor
{. q. Luce on Assuming
Office.
Construction and Management of
State Reformatory Insti-
tutions.

tutions.
Gentlemen of the Senate and House Of Repre-
BY virtue of the constitution and laws of our
commonwealth, you have been selected and
authorized to speak in the name OF great
people, who, through natural advantages,
aided by thrift, enterprise and liberal lnsti-
buttons claim q place in the front rank in
the sisterhood OF states The increase OF
suits, the establishment of new institutions, the
enlargement of old ones, the demand for new
laws, the revision and amendment OF those now
existing all place increased responsibility upon
the Legislature, as well rs upon other depart
ments Of the State Government
We meet at this time under favorable aus
pices. Peace and good order prevail through
out our borders, we are exempt from famine
and pestilence. and beneath such providential
smiles we are about to assume the discharge OF
duties assigned us by n conhdng people; and
in so doing II is eet and proper tor us to make
grateful acknowledgment To the Oliver OF all
good for the blessings and bounty bestowed
upon u.s.
The Constitution requires both the retiring
and incoming Governors TO give TO the Leglsla-
ture information by message OF the condition OF
the State and to recommend such measures To
them as shall be deemed eXpedient. MY pre-
decessor, who has so satisfactorily discharged
the executive duties of this State during the
last two years has, doubtless given you all the
data and recommendations necessary for your
guidance. But in compliance with the tunda-
lished custom, your attention is called TO some
subjects TOR legislation, which are commended
TO your careful consideration.
We have been iutruSted with the affairs OF
state but for brief period, yet during our
terms of Office measures will be adopted and
laws passed that will in effect reach far beyond
the lapse of our terms. No general revision OF
our laws is required, and il is safe TO assume
that no law should be amended unless clearly
for the public good.
In briefly outlining certain legislation that
impresses me as being desirable, aud indicat.
ing the policy that viii govern my action let
sne assure you in advance that IL VIII be my
highest ambition to cooperate with you in the
adoptiO n of measures tAut will serve the best
interests Of the people and add 70 the welfare
and common good or this great State. Much OF
your work will necessarily be devoted TO the
\ care and maintenance of our various insttu-
tions. Their consideration, Importance and
requirements will doubtless receive your best
thought and wisest action. Full reports of all
u he State institutions will be laid before you at
Van early day, containing information more in
detail tIGn cGn be given mere.
OU.. 4. ..a, y SCHOOLS.
Ii is the pride OF on: people that ample pro-
vision has D., II lunte ior the education of every
child within tn5 StasU. An almost universal
sentiment exists in favor of free schools, and
however much we may differ upon other sub
jects upon this we nre o. one belief.
The diversity OF text books in our common
schools is IA subject much discussed, and upon
which opn Oh is greatly divided. could a uni
formity be obtained without retarding new
IN, thods and without chilling the spirit of
progress that has characterized the later years
of educational adyun cement it would be most
desirable.
Your first aim is the best education TO the
children of the State, ana secondary TO this IS
the greatest economy in the accomplishment of
such end.
/ suppose that citizen of the State is with
out prIde in our widely celebrated Univers ".
The Board of REGENTS will present reports and
memorials more IN detail of its needs as the
session prosresseB The eXcellency of its
courses of study attracts TO IL constantly in
creasing NUMBERS, aud by reason of this comes
the in. rcased demand for facilities to maintain
its established gin character.
The Board of Regents ask for SIS, 900 a part
of their needs for the erection and equipment
of n building for a micrOscopcal ana historical
LABORATORY, physiological laDo ,atory, and II
laboratory for teaching physics and natural
philosophy.
Ano ht purpose included in the said amount
is the establishment of II hygenic laboratory.
This last named object is a new feature recon-
rnended by the State Board Of Health. While
the Board of Regents do not urge this, they in-
dica5e u willingness To take charge of the same
if established. The first departments above
enumerated are those already existing, ana APP
propriatons are only asked for the purpose of
more fully developing their usefulness and an
swering their growing demands the last, now
ever, calls for tle establishment OF new
branch, and requires due and careful consid-
Grafton. And TINS, not alone because of present
appropriations asked, but because Of the after
appropriations il may entail upon the State,
aud the kindred demand for other branches
that may be clinglng TO IL. Should this latter
object De JnOuguL luduNlShDIe III pIeSent
time. the appropriation above named could be
corrcspondlngly reduced without gripping the
first-named OBJECTS
THE STATE NORMAL SCHOOL.
From this institution has gone forth army
of teachers who have done much in molding the
character of the common schools OF the State
It's influence is felt in every part OF our com
rnonwealth IL is one OF the long-since estab.
lished landmarks in our educational system
and has always received favorable recognition
at the hands of the Legislature, and it is be
lieycd that its wants will be carefully consid
AGRrCULTURAL COLLEGE.
This institution enjoys the proud distinction
of being pioneer of its class and OF still beinl
in the front rank of industrial colleges of the
land.
Gators is toward the industrial and practical anC
this college is in the line 10 respond to such de
msnds of growing and progressive people.
Congress- male the munihcent grant of 2i0
600 acres of land TO the State for the mainte
nance Of an agricultural college where the me
chanic arts and military tactics should b,
taught. Through provisions made by the Legis
aature of 1886 the terms OF the grant are nov
fully answered buildings have been erecte,
and tools and machinery procured.
The mechanical department IA in full work
ing order n hall for military drill has been pro
vided aud the General Government has details
an officer 10 teach military tactics. While TIN
endowment fund from the sale of such lands Il
sufficient TO pay the current expenses Of tn
school yet the rapid increase I'm the attendance
calls loudly for ore room. II has seemingl
become the set lei policy Of the State 10 fur
nish ample accommodations at a our educa
tional l. stitut ons for all who desire to attend
thrust that the claims of the Agricultural Col
IeRe will receive yo1r attention.
While the Botrd do not now ask for an appro
priation for the following purpose, yet at som
time in the near fu facilities ought to b
provided for the admission OF girls to this school
The anomalous position IL now occupies urge
ftself upon our attention, for in all other educa
tinna institutions of the State provision IL mad
for the co-educaton OF the sexes
STATE PUBLIC SCHOOL.
Michiqan en- joys the distinction OF having bee
the frat 10 establish a school OF the exact char
~ter and aim OF the one at Coldwater. The Stat